The Huntress Archetype – Embrace the Wild Woman Within You

Think of ‚strong and independent woman‘ and you‘ve got the Huntress Archetype. Out of all 7 Feminine Archetypes, she is the most freedom-loving and fierce.

Also known as the Wild Woman Archetype, her nature-loving soul and warrior-like spirit can be a true inspiration to others.

Are you a Huntress? If you already took my 7 Feminine Archetypes Quiz, keep reading to learn more about the Huntress Archetype. Otherwise, you can find the free quiz to discover your Feminine Archetype here:

Common Characteristics of the Huntress Archetype

Before we dive into the details, let us have a look at some common traits of the Huntress Archetype – there are some typical patterns that show up.

The Huntress Archetype does not like being placed in a box – her highest precept is freedom and she will do everything in her power to free herself from any constraints holding her back.

She does not care too much about other people’s opinions nor does she require their validation. The Huntress is highly independent and knows how to fend for herself, without having to or wanting to rely on others.

If the Huntress had to be summarized in one quote, these words by Charlotte Bronte capture the sentiment pretty well:

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”

― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

She is perfectly happy with doing her own thing which often makes her come across as unconvential. Secretely, she enjoys being a little rebel.

As a modern warrioress, the Huntress Archetype is also known for her courage. With her strong and self-confident presence, she often inspires others and can even fall into the role of a protector for more vulnerable women. It is not uncommon for the Wild Woman to care greatly about women‘s rights or other social causes.

The Huntress stands up for what she believes in. When she has a goal (and she has those a lot), she has her eyes firmly set on the prize. Her character is committed, driven and competitive.

Authentic expression of her self is highly important to the Huntress Archetype. Her free-thinking mind needs to be spoken and her path to be followed.

Being also known as the Wild Woman, the Huntress tends to be deeply connected to nature. It is the place where she feels closest to herself and full of life force.

The Huntress Archetype‘s Shadow and Weaknesses

The strengths associated with this archetype come with a flipside – as always, light does not exist without darkness. So let us look at the shadow side of the Huntress Archetype.

In case the so-called shadow is a new term for you: It is a term coined by Carl Jung and refers to the dark side of the human psyche, including our hidden desires, weak spots and repressed areas of the self burdened with shame. Doing shadow work helps you to integrate and find peace with your shadow.

Very typical for hyper-independent people is the tendency to fear vulnerability. Some huntresses see it as a weakness (while actually, it is the basis for forming deep connections with others and holds lots of strength). When others get too close to her, she can react irritated and dismissive.

Emotional unavailability can also be an issue in relationships – while the Huntress does not fear expressing her distaste in systems and conventions, she does struggle to express her deepest fears and feelings of love.

Sometimes, the Wild Woman can be so focused on their goals that she does not notice the emotions of those around her, either, which can cause conflict. She values solitude but runs danger of isolating herself too much.

Being able to fend for yourself is a great thing but there can be a downside to it. The Huntress Archetype may rather get herself into desperate situations than ask for help, simply because her core belief is that she needs to do it all by herself.

One of the greatest growth opportunities for this archetype is to lean into her softer side. She needs to learn to ask for help, to allow feelings and to connect with others meaningfully.

In order for her to develop empathy and access her feelings, reflecting and journaling can help. Try these questions to help you step out of the Huntress archetype‘s shadow:

• How can I be more present with the people around me?
• What sensations do I feel in my body right now?
• Am I alone by choice or do I tend to push people away?
• Could vulnerability also have a positive side?
• Which fears do I have when it comes to love?
• How do I view people who ask for help?
• What would happen if I let someone see all aspects of me?

The Huntress Workbook

If these prompts resonated with you and you feel called to dive deeper, the Feminine Archetype Workbooks extend the experience, offering an abundance of insightful prompts to guide you further.

Learn more

Huntress Archetype Examples

Famous examples of the Huntress Archetype are:

• Katniss (from „The Hunger Games“)
• Lady Gaga
• Amy Winehouse
• Wonder Woman
• Merida (from „Brave“)
• Serena Williams
• Mulan
• Tauriel (from “The Hobbit”)

Whether a fictional or real-life figure, the Huntress is a force to be reckoned with. Katniss Everdeen probably comes closest to the mythological image of Artemis, a warrior woman who courageously becomes a symbol of hope and rebellion.

Superstars like Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse prove that the Huntress Archetype has no fear of being unconventional. They firmly walked their own path and did – excuse the language – whatever the f* they liked.

With her dedication and goal-driven mind, the Huntress has a high potential of achieving greatness. Whether that is in sports, a career or changing systems and society, she is bound to succeed.

Was the Huntress Archetype defined by Carl Jung?

The Huntress Archetype as such was not defined by Carl Jung. A very similar concept, however, is the Outlaw Archetype which is often mistakenly claimed to be a Jungian Archetype.

The Outlaw Archetype is one of 12 Brand Archetypes that were derived from Jung‘s work but do not originally stem from the Swiss psychoanalyst. These archetypes proposed for business branding actually originate from „The hero and the outlaw: Building extraordinary brands through the power of archetypes“ by Carol Pearson and Margaret Mark.

Correct me if I‘m wrong but in Jung‘s two main books on the archetypes („Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious“ and „Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self“), there seems to be no mention of an Outlaw or Hunter/Huntress Archetype.

The Huntress Archetype in Mythology

While Jung may have not defined the Huntress Archetype, there certainly is a clear equivalent in Greek mythology. Artemis is the Goddess of the Hunt and the Wilderness.

She is worshipped as a lunar deity and is believed to be roaming the forests most of the time.

Interestingly, Artemis is also seen as a goddess of childbirth even though according to mythology, she was sworn to never marry. This fits very well with the independent spirit of the Huntress Archetype – who prefers to walk her own path instead of being tied down.

In relationships, Artemis was described as hard to win over. There are legends where she serves as a protector for other women, saving them from rape, as well as stories of her striking down men with harmful motives. Just like Artemis, the Huntress does not fear using her strength to serve justice.

Behind the artwork: Powerful symbolism of the Huntress Archetype

For this illustration, I visualized a strong warrior woman roaming the woods on a hunt.

Inspired by Artemis, this fierce huntress is ready to take on the world. I depicted her walking alone through the night, symbolically for her relentless courage and love for total freedom.

Since Artemis is known as a lunar deity – and because the moon has this special connection to the cyclical nature of a woman‘s life – a bright crescent moon appears in the night sky above her.

Artemis is said to have been often accompanied by wild animals, so I felt like it would fit her spirit perfectly to have a howling wolf by her side. The wolf symbolizes the wild part of her but also her companionship with the natural world.

The Huntress Archetype artwork is perfect for all of those who want to channel their wild woman spirit – I hope this artwork can serve as a reminder of your innate strength and inspire you to pursue your path with dedication and courage.

How to Embody the Huntress Archetype

Whether you‘re a natural Huntress or not (yet), there are several ways to embody the Huntress Archetype. Here are some ideas to bring more wild woman spirit into your life.

(Also, make sure to check out this list of book recommendations – there are specific ones for each archetype!)

Go on a hike

The Huntress thrives in the wild. Especially if you feel like you lost that part of yourself, reconnecting with nature can remind you of your authentic self.

Pursue a goal

What do you want to achieve this week, month, or year? Feeling like you take your dreams seriously and actively pursue goals gives the Huntress Archetype a lot of satisfaction and confidence.

Enjoy alone time

For someone like the Huntress, it is especially important to plan regular alone time to recharge her batteries. She has to be careful not to isolate herself too much, but if you‘ve been not doing much by yourself lately, you should definitely schedule a date with just yourself.

Plan an adventure

The Huntress enjoys personal growth through challenge. What could you do that is slightly out of your comfort zone but intrigues you? Adventures can be refreshing for the soul and you‘re guaranteed to come out stronger and maybe even a little bit wiser.

If you are ready to journey deeper into the expression of the Huntress…

…the Feminine Archetype Workbooks are here to guide you! Some topics we explore specifically in the Huntress Workbook are how to:

• awaken your inner wild woman and express your authentic self
• build resilience, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and dare to live with wild courage
• find emotional freedom by embracing non-attachment
• explore your patterns and attachment styles in love
• transform rage into positive action and explore what your anger might be telling you
• find balance between autonomy and connection as you unlearn avoidant patterns
• recognize the strength in vulnerability
• reconnect with your body, your instincts, and your sensual self

So… that sums up our excursion into the mind and spirit of the Huntress Archetype. I hope this inspired you to reflect and get to know your potential better – did you learn something new about yourself today? I‘d love to hear about it in the comments.